The Dutch superstar heading up the colony that is taking over the world
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey ONNO, welcome to DMCWORLD. Every year a new night begins in Ibiza and is the talking point on the island – this year it’s ANTS that has grabbed everyone’s attention. When were you approached to become one of the residents?
“Having already played quite a few gigs for Ushuaia over the past year the plan came up, not long after that season had finished to do a new cool underground night at Ushuaia, which slowly developed into what United Ants is now.”
We are a few weeks into the season now, how have the parties been going?
“The opening was already really, really good and gradually, over the past few weeks, the party has really been going from strength to strength. Every week the numbers are going up and the vibe has been awesome right from the very start. What’s also really nice is that there is a lot of support from the Island, we’re seeing a lot of locals and workers partying at Ants and I think this is really great as it means we are giving something back to the island.”
What is it about Ushuaia that you love?
“It’s outdoor, the sound and production are always top notch and the vibe within the crew is really special.”
Does your set change in any way to say, a set at The Panorama Bar in Berlin, another club that you are a regular at?
“Of course there are differences when playing different venues. Panorama Bar is quite a bit smaller than Ushuaia and playing a dark club or outdoors in the sun both bring a different set of circumstances and challenges. That being said though, as well as the same attitude, I always try to push the same bass heavy, sleazy sound that I love to all my sets.”
You starred at the wonderful Sensation in Amsterdam at the weekend, it looked huge! What were some of the highlights?
“The productions of this event keep on surprising me. Everything from the décor, to the light and pyrotechnics, is flawless. Something you don’t see a lot of with events of this scale, also the fact that they guys from ID&T are trying to push underground artists for example: Nic Fanciulli, Sneak and myself and for an event this big, it is definitely something to admire.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Appollonia – Visa Americain / Appollonia
Bimas & Francisco Allendes – Spoken Magic Spell / MOAN
OCH – Improvise / Bass Culture
Le Loup – See Line Dub / Weird Wired
Tom Flynn – My Hut / VIVa Music
Rework – Touch / Visionquest
Lauhaus & Julien Chaptal – Jujuman / Supplement Facts
Sidney Charles – Warehouse Breakup / Inmotion
ONNO – Balance Day EP / Upon.You
Chad Andrew – Moan Bootleg / White
Last month saw you release your ‘Balance Day EP’ on Upon You Records, your first for a while. What is coming out next for you studio wise?
“Yes that’s true, but there are quite a few other bits coming out over the next few months. First up is my new EP on Steve Lawler’s VIVa imprint, I have always been a big fan of Steve ever since I first started DJ-ing so this really feels like coming full circle for me. There are also a few remixes coming out, one I did for John Monkman on Get Physical which is accompanied by a Tiefschwarz Remix, another remix will come out on Serkall Music in month or two, A little later on in the summer there will be more originals on Disc Over (my good friend Tim Green’s new label) and also a cool deep EP on my buddy Loquace’s Early Dub imprint.”
How important for your career was it hooking up with the Upon You Records guys?
“Marco Resmann was the first to sign my music so I am really thankful to him and the rest of the Upon.You crew for giving me a chance to put my music out in the early stages of my career and I am still super happy to be working with them now. As well as releasing my music, they gave me the chance to experience Berlin and play at places like Panorama Bar, Watergate and Bar25 which all shaped me both musically and personally. As well as that , we all went on to become very good friends, which is obviously a really valuable thing for me.”
You have a day off from Ants, what club and DJ do we find you checking out in Ibiza?
“I love going out and hearing good music, even better than that is hearing my friends play and hanging out with them. This could be anywhere from DC10, Enter, Music On, Used & Abused, Underground, Cocoon, tINI and the Gang, ViVa Warriors, Fuse etc etc etc. There is always so much good stuff happening on the island these days!”
What one song always remind you of Ibiza?
“Can I cheat and do two? Dubtribe Sound System – Equitoreal and Banda Sonora – Guitarra G.”
So are the rumours true, are all you Ants DJs all living together in one colony on the island?
“Have a look at the Ants & DJ’s photo album on the United Ants Facebook and judge for yourself, haha!”
Who are some of the producers you are giving high fives to right now?
“There is a lot of great music coming out lately by people like: Francisco Allendes & Paolo Pauletta, Sidney Charles, Daze Maxim, Santé, Mathias Kaden, Jay Tripwire, Marcman and loads more. But there are also some younger guys who are also putting out some amazingly fresh music like: the Karton Posse from Amsterdam, Chad Andrews, Randall M, David Gtronic, Egal 3, Fernando Constantini, Loquace, Julien Sandre etc.”
Can you recall the first time you ever ventured to Ibiza, what were the clubs you checked out on your virgin mission and what was your initial reaction to the island?
“Haha, yes I can. It was when I was about 17 years old and I was on holiday with friends in mainland Spain. After about a week we got bored and decided to pop on a boat to Ibiza, 2 days, 1 night, no hotel, lots of fun. If I remember correctly we ended up at a party in Privilege before going to a “carry on” at Space, after that we chilled out on the beach and got on the boat back the next day. So the first visit was a short and intense one, but it proved to be the start of a healthy relationship with the island as I’ve been coming back here over and over ever since and now I even come to live here for the full summer.”
Tell us a little about the Amsterdam club scene in the summer of 2013, where is on fire right now?
“To be honest, the festivals are really where it’s at in Amsterdam during the summer. Every weekend at least one or two bigger or smaller festivals are happening in Holland, it’s a curse and a blessing at the same time though as the festivals are ace, but the clubs have a hard time during the summer. That said, clubs like Studio 80, Trouw and Chicago Social Club are all super nice, both during winter and summer.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Amsterdam?
“The best thing is the people and the open-minded vibe of the city. The worst thing has to be the weather – hence my move to Ibiza.”
And finally, what is the best career advice you have ever been given?
“To stay true and never give up!”
ANTS every Saturday at Ushuaia, Ibiza midday to midnight…
http://www.djonno.com
http://www.meanwhile.nl
http://www.uponyou-records.com
http://www.souvenir-music.com
